About ESNZ
Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) is the national sports organisation for equestrians in Aotearoa, New Zealand. We aim to provide safe environments for our members and the wider equestrian community, to enjoy competition and recreational equestrian pursuits at all levels of participation.
At Equestrian Sports New Zealand our core organisational values are: Welfare of the Horse; Integrity; Excellence; Unity; Fair play; Respect. Here is how these values are applied to support the sector:
ADVOCACY – As part of a larger network, we regularly speak on behalf of equestrian sports in New Zealand, giving our members a stronger voice than can be achieved individually.
ARCHIVES – We have a comprehensive library that has archived our evolution and development from the original New Zealand Horse Society 75 years ago until today, for the sake of generations that follow.
BREEDERS – We have a working relationship with the main sport horse breeders and breed associations, so our riders have the best chances of success on horses that are fit for purpose.
COACHING – We encourage and support people into coaching programmes and achieving accreditation, and some have made coaching careers that take them all over the world.
EDUCATION – We are members of the FEI (Fédération Equestre International) and share their online resources. And we have a very large website featuring helpful and relevant topics.
FACILITIES – Our National Equestrian Centres in Taupō and Christchurch are busy almost every weekend of the year, where Olympians like Sir Mark Todd and Blyth Tait MBE began their careers.
GAME CHANGER – We strive to secure the future of equestrian, and the Sport NZ Strengthen & Adapt initiative enables us to strengthen the capability and capacity of equestrian.
HIGH PERFORMANCE – Our HP programme managers, selectors and support staff work with HP Sport NZ, the NZ Olympic Committee and the FEI, so kiwis can excel on the world stage.
INCOME – We have secured and manage sponsorship and funding that offsets the cost of competition for members as much as possible. We also oversee several Trust Funds.
LIFELONG ASSOCIATIONS – We have lifelong associations with many organisations across the sector including an MOU with the NZ Pony Clubs Association, and NZ Riding for the Disabled.
MEMBER BENEFITS – We have partners chosen for their strong focus towards supporting the needs of equestrians. These include supporting key events, and providing service discounts.
PORTAL – We support a website portal to HORSEREG that hosts your membership data, and information on riders, coaches, officials and horses who are registered with us.
RULES – We maintain regulations and act as custodians so that fair play exists for all, and we can provide a judicial process if required. We also uphold rules for FEI events.
SOCIAL LICENCE – We inform the public with accurate information and maintain the profile of a sport that has huge benefits for kiwis and their equines – both physically and mentally.
TECHNICAL DELEGATES – We provide a hub for technical delegates, judges, stewards, technical officials (incl. FEI and Clean Sport testers).
VOLUNTEERS and Organising Committees work closely with us to deliver safe and healthy competitions, achieved through the willingness and support of our wonderful volunteers.
Welcome to Equestrian Sports New Zealand
A wise man once said that a good rider can hear his horse speak to him but a great rider can hear him whisper. The privilege of having a partnership with a horse is a very special part of our sport that other codes simply cannot offer.
You are only one part of the equation – you can’t compete without your horse and therefore it is always in your best interest to take special care of them and their welfare.
Whether you choose to be involved as a volunteer, an official, a parent, an introductory competitor or someone who wants to make a business out of your love for equestrian, there is a lot to find on this website.
We deliver great competitions and events through our own area groups and organising committees as well as partnerships with other organisations such as NZ Pony Club, the Riding for the Disabled, the Royal Agricultural Society and Horse of the Year.
If you need something or want to ask us questions please do not hesitate to contact us, the membership services team is extremely focused on delivering solutions and answers to any queries. If they can’t help you they will know who can.
Whether you plan to be just having fun or competing at the highest level, please take care, ask lots of questions and be a fair competitor. There will be trials and tribulations – make your come backs stronger than your setbacks – and have a lot of fun!
Julian Bowden – Chief Executive Equestrian Sports New Zealand
Olympic History
“Its Todd for two and two for Todd”
New Zealand has a rich Olympic History. The equestrian disciplines are unique events at the Olympic Games, not only because they are the only Olympic events that involve animals (aside from the equestrian component of modern pentathlon), but they are where women and men compete together on equal terms.
The New Zealand eventers are well regarded and recognised as some of the most accomplished and successful in the world, particularly Sir Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson, both of whom have been based in the UK for many years.
Did you know – Sir Mark Todd and Andrew Nicholson are New Zealand’s most capped Olympians, with seven caps apiece.
All of New Zealand’s Olympic equestrian medals have been won by eventers.
New Zealand has won a total of 3 Gold, 2 Silver and 5 Bronze medals at Olympic Games from 1984 at Los Angeles to 2012 at London.